Real Estate Paralegal – Checkers and Rally’s Drive-In Restaraunts (Tampa)

Position Summary:  

Real Estate Paralegal is accountable for managing critical notice dates and obtaining the necessary business direction in time to position the company for successful negotiations.  This position manages Company Lease compliance and Franchise subleases as well as Company owned properties.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Manages maintenance of company owned and leased properties including but not limited to parking, signage, permits, right of way requests, condemnations, access agreements, inspections and appraisals.
2. Manages Corporate and Pass-Through Locations (approximately 450)
   1. Acts as the liaison for landlords, serving as the first point of contact for calls and correspondence including upcoming landlord related projects and/or requests.
   2. Processes change of address paperwork for landlords.
   3. Processes landlord deaths, estate and entity changes.
   4. Inputs new properties into lease administration system.
   5. Inputs new franchisees and transfers of properties into lease administration system.
   6. Works with Accounting to deliver year-end reports to landlords.
   7. Reviews public hearing notices, request additional information, and notifies Operations Managers and/or in-house attorney of any relevant hearings that a company representative needs to attend.
3. Lease Administration
   1. Tracks tickler dates for upcoming lease renewals.
   2. Tracks lease terminations and expirations.
   3. Closes out process for closed properties including communicating with Accounting to terminate utilities, lawn service and property insurance.
   4. Handles process for lease renewals and lease terminations.
      1. Assists Franchise Development in contacting franchisees and confirm if they will be renewing or terminating subleases.
      2. Drafts and submits renewal and termination notices to landlords.
   5. Logs updated lease information into lease administration system.
   6. Submits vendor and landlord charge dispute letters.
4. Manages Surplus Properties
   1. Manages lawn care, pest control and other maintenance vendors to ensure properties are being maintained in keeping with company and local municipality standards.
   2. Rectifies code violations on closed properties.
   3. Handles inquiries for potential sublease/disposition opportunities.
   4. Coordinates sublease transactions and properties sales.
5. Surplus Property Dispositions
   1. Handles all purchase inquiries.
   2. Disseminates purchase offers for review and negotiation.
   3. Tracks disposition process.
   4. Submits contract/sales document requests to in-house attorney.
6. Creates and processes real estate legal documents including but not limited to:
   1. Estoppels, SNDA’s, Right of First Refusals, Affidavits, Cross Access Agreements, Lease Amendments
7. Lease Renewals
   1. Assists Asset Management Consultant in working with landlords to negotiate lease renewals, lease modifications and/or lease extensions.
   2. Maintains property asset management tracking spreadsheet.
   3. Tracks critical lease dates.
8. Works with Development on re-opening of corporate locations and transfers of franchisee locations to corporate locations.
9. Participates in weekly conference calls regarding the construction progress and issues
10. Coordinates inspections and appraisals for properties.
11. Works with Operations to address environmental concerns and other property issues (signage, etc.) and/or violations.
12. Maintains Property Administration department files including obtaining fully executed legal documents, associated exhibits/schedules, site plans, surveys, and title documents.
13. Codes and submits department related invoices.
    1. Valid and code legal invoices according to provider.
    2. Maintain legal invoice spreadsheet.
14. Real Estate Paralegal
    1. Order and review title work
    2. Clear title defects and requirements
    3. Lease abstracting
    4. Work as liaison for outside legal counsel to determine curative measures for title defects and exceptions
15. Facilities Management
    1. Acts as facility contact with building management.
    2. Reports and enters work orders for RSC office.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge

• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to engage others and establish rapport
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to handle multiple priorities, meet demanding deadlines, adjust to sudden changes in workflow, and maintain high quality standards.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to think independently, take corrective action, and to resolve inquiries
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions
• Ability to maintain all job-related information in a confidential and private manner

Education

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Paralegal Certification a plus

Experience

• Ability to use Microsoft Office suite and Internet software
• Over five years of in-house experience or similar concentrated experience with a commercial focus in a law firm
• Familiarity with Accruent tracking systems a plus.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret written information such as procedure manuals, Company communications or governmental regulations.
• Ability to Travel may be required to attend off-site training, meetings and seminars.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods in one location which may be restricted to the employee’s workstation.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.